In the spring and fall big flocks of geese fly overhead in long V formations, going north, or south, or over to the next puddle of water to take a break or stay for the summer. We didn’t see geese or ducks much when I was a kid; in fact we didn’t have nearly the variety of birds at all that we get at our feeders here or back in Midland.
Geese Framed by Tree and Shadows
Muskallonge State Park, where we camped is on a strip of land between Lake Superior and small inland Muskallonge Lake. A flock of 40 or 50 Canadian geese called the park home. They had a regular routine, from the beach across the road from us, around the campgrounds, out to the welcome station, then back to the Muskallonge beach and out to the water.
They are fun to watch. Always one or two will act as sentinel to keep watch and alert the others to danger.
I’ll Watch Out for You Geese on Muskallonge Lake
If cars or people get close the birds slowly waddle away, eating all the while. No fed the geese that we saw, and although they aren’t tame they didn’t aggressively defend their flock either. Maybe they are mild-mannered because this spring’s chicks are all grown up.
I never saw the geese on Lake Superior, only a few gulls. Muskallonge has fish and it’s fairly calm, only about 20 feet deep at the most. Guess the geese found it more pleasant than fighting the waves on Superior.
Sometimes we saw dozens together.
Geese Swimming by Shore
Other times a few would swim together. They like to be in groups.
Hurry Up! Goose Catching Up
Caught Up! Geese on Muskallonge Lake
Once in a while a goose would duck under for a snack.
Taking Time for a Snack Geese at Muskallonge Lake
The geese will stay up north for another month or two, then wing on south. Maybe we will see our Muskallonge friends in the skies above this fall.
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